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Topic Review (Newest First)

04-21-2009 05:41 AM

petevicar

The expression that we, Anglo Saxons, use is similar.
We would say "the mut's nuts" or "the dog's bollocks".

04-21-2009 04:53 AM

juro

Tarpon are as they say in these parts "THE BALLS". The only way I would like them more is if they were steelhead of that size and ferocity I must admit after decades of chasing steel in the great pacific northwest every tarpon I hook sends the same thrill as a chrome summer run times 50 thru my veins until the final realization that it's a giant herring vs. a silver sea-forged rainbow trout.

04-21-2009 01:35 AM

petevicar

Hey Juro
Great minds think alike.
I have been using a nail knot behind 2 half hitches for shock tippet for a few years now.
You can get a stronger knot if you tie the nail knot with the 2 strands formed by a bimini.

I very rarely use loop to loop connections.

These days I do not use the IGFA style of tarpon leader as I think it is unnecessary if you are not chasing world records.

My set up for tarpon is:

4 ft of 50lb mono nail knotted to the fly line. 4 ft of 30lb mono connected with a double uni knot. 2 ft of 60 - 80lb shock tippet connected with 2 half hitches in the shock and a nail knot with the 30lb.
I tie the fly on with a Rapala knot.

For that size Tarpon, I would use a 50 or 60# bite tippet. I like to use the Slim Beauty for my leader to bite tippet connection; I wouldn't use a loop to loop there. Also, I like to have the loop in my fly line and the loop in my backing both be 8". That way I can pass the reel through the line loop, or the line spool/coil through the backing loop. (In the boat vs. back at the house) It is important when doing a loop to loop connection to make a handshake (quasi sheet-bend) knot not a cinch knot, since the majority of the strength in that connection is from the sheet-bend. If you cinch it, the whipped loop is much less likely to hold.

04-20-2009 01:50 PM

Smcdermott

Quote:

Originally Posted by laumingyee

hi Smcdermott

These are very good suggestion especially the double loop on the backing. Are you saying i should fold the backing twice before making the bimini loop knot to double the backing along the loop?
I am using the Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader material to make up the Tarpon leader and shock tippet...etc. I use the 100lb shock tippet is in case those Barracuda show up and eat the Tarpon fly !!!

PS: Just to let you know I am from Saskatchewan, Canada. The nearest ocean is about 2600 km away !!!

Thank you for your help.

Make a traditional bimini and then using that single strand loop double it back on itself for the surgeons.

04-20-2009 01:16 PM

laumingyee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smcdermott

No experience with tarpon but a couple mods I would make to your set up would be the following.

Backing: Make a bimini loop that is about 2' long. Double the loop back against itself and tie a surgeons loop. This will give you a doubled line that will help prevent a girth hitch from forming when attaching to the fly line loop to loop.

Leaders: I would tie your 20lb tippet to the shock using an improved blood knot not the loop to loop you propose. I think this will accomplish two things. More stealth and a lengthened shock. Those loops use up a lot of line in my experience. Put a loop in the 20lb section and loop to loop with your 30lb section. Yes you will eat up more 20lb line over the long run but you will also be changing out the line which is most likely to abrade more often hopefully resulting is less lost fish. I reccomend using RIO or Mason's hard mono for the class tippet. Much more abrasion resistent than traditional mono and easier to knot to the heavy shock.

Leaders: I will defer to the tarpon specialists but the 100lb shock seems heavy for 50-70lb fish. I would think 40-60lb Seaguar fluoro would be sufficient and much easier to knot to 20lb tippet.

hi Smcdermott

These are very good suggestion especially the double loop on the backing. Are you saying i should fold the backing twice before making the bimini loop knot to double the backing along the loop?
I am using the Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader material to make up the Tarpon leader and shock tippet...etc. I use the 100lb shock tippet is in case those Barracuda show up and eat the Tarpon fly !!!

PS: Just to let you know I am from Saskatchewan, Canada. The nearest ocean is about 2600 km away !!!

Thank you for your help.

04-20-2009 12:56 PM

Smcdermott

No experience with tarpon but a couple mods I would make to your set up would be the following.

Backing: Make a bimini loop that is about 2' long. Double the loop back against itself and tie a surgeons loop. This will give you a doubled line that will help prevent a girth hitch from forming when attaching to the fly line loop to loop.

Leaders: I would tie your 20lb tippet to the shock using an improved blood knot not the loop to loop you propose. I think this will accomplish two things. More stealth and a lengthened shock. Those loops use up a lot of line in my experience. Put a loop in the 20lb section and loop to loop with your 30lb section. Yes you will eat up more 20lb line over the long run but you will also be changing out the line which is most likely to abrade more often hopefully resulting is less lost fish. I reccomend using RIO or Mason's hard mono for the class tippet. Much more abrasion resistent than traditional mono and easier to knot to the heavy shock.

Leaders: I will defer to the tarpon specialists but the 100lb shock seems heavy for 50-70lb fish. I would think 40-60lb Seaguar fluoro would be sufficient and much easier to knot to 20lb tippet.

04-20-2009 11:49 AM

laumingyee

Quote:

Originally Posted by petevicar

The loop made with the nail knots works well in fact I use it. Over the top I put some electrical type silicone tubing which shrinks when heated to seal the knots.
I then tie a bimini in the backing and use a loop to loop connection. Make the bimini loop at least a foot long so that the reel can pass through it.

With regard to the length of leader. I use a maximum of 9ft when using large flies. Any longer makes it difficult to turn the line over.

You should be OK with a 9wt set up for tarpon up to 50lbs but anything larger may give you problems.

I have caught tarpon up to 70lbs in Cayo Largo in Cuba at that time of year.

Pete

Thank Pete

I will give it try tonight. I am going to Cayo Santa Maria at the end of May. Hopefully the Tarpons are in the area. I should give you a run down on my set up to see if you have any suggestion. A 9wt fly line attaching to a piece of 5 ft 40lb flurocarbon material using a loop to loop connection. At the end of the butt section, I attached a piece of 2ft long 30 lb leader then another 2ft long 20 lb leader using a regular blood knot for the connection. At the end of the 20 lb leader, I made a loop using a perfect loop knot then attach to a piece of 10 inch 100lb shock tippet. I tie the fly to the shock tippet using a Homer Rode loop knot. i will tie all of the Tarpon flies to a piece of shock tippet with a loop at the beginning for quick fly change. Do you think this is a good set up for a beginner ?

Thank you

04-20-2009 10:37 AM

petevicar

The loop made with the nail knots works well in fact I use it. Over the top I put some electrical type silicone tubing which shrinks when heated to seal the knots.
I then tie a bimini in the backing and use a loop to loop connection. Make the bimini loop at least a foot long so that the reel can pass through it.

With regard to the length of leader. I use a maximum of 9ft when using large flies. Any longer makes it difficult to turn the line over.

You should be OK with a 9wt set up for tarpon up to 50lbs but anything larger may give you problems.

I have caught tarpon up to 70lbs in Cayo Largo in Cuba at that time of year.

Pete

04-20-2009 10:21 AM

laumingyee

loop to loop connection between flyline and backing

Hi I am a new guy and only caught a few Bonefish with a fly rod. I need some help for preparing my first Tarpon fishing trip.
I am trying to make a loop to loop connection between a 9wt Scientific Anglers FW floating saltwater fly line to a 30 lb braided backing for my upcoming Tarpon fishing trip. Does anyone got any good suggestion? I want to be able to change the fly line in case the Tarpons are in deeper water.

I have heard that making a small loop at the end of the fly line then tie 3 nail knots on it using a piece of mono line to keep the loop together. Is it a good suggestion?

What is the best total length of the leader including the butt section and the shock tippet for Tarpon fishing ?